Alongside of a new event and another anomaly
Welp,the mad people over at theHeroes of the StormReddit did it: they predicted the next character with blazing accuracy.
Although the recent unexplained bout of in-game snow could have been teasing any number of chilly heroes, Mei was the top guess, backed by the “same snowflake theory.” That was all spot on, as Blizzard has confirmed to Destructoid that Mei is coming, and will be live on thePTR todayin fact. Described as a “versatile warrior,” she’ll also be accompanied by a new Nexus Anomaly (read: temporary or long term rulesets that change the game) that involves weather alterations.
Each battleground has a temporary weather effect that can buff heroes, and given that her character is well-versed in climate changes, it makes a lot of sense. Nexomania, the wrestling-themed event thatHeroesheld in the past, is also making a return, with Mal’gaucho Mal’ganis at the helm.
The addition of Mei is a monumental event forHeroes.We haven’t had a new hero reveal since October 2019, and we haven’t had a new Warrior in a long, long while. This game is still very much alive, and if Blizzard can get more lapsedOverwatchfans to check it out, it’ll be bumping for the rest of the summer. Mei will make her proper debut in the live version ofHeroeson June 23.
You can find her full ability and talent rundown below!
Overview
A brilliant mind with a sunny disposition, Dr. Mei-Ling Zhou joined Overwatch to help solve the world’s growing climate problems. Armed with a host of weather-altering technologies, Mei nowfights to protect her friends and secure a future for a troubled world.
Trait [D]
*Cryo-Freezeo Mei encases herself in ice, gaining a rapidly decaying Shield that absorbs up to 1104damage. While active, this Shield grants Unstoppable and restores up to 35% maximumHealth.*Cooldown: 40 seconds.
Basic Abilities
Snow Blind [Q]o Throw a snowball that hits all enemies in an area. Enemies hit take 70 damage, areSlowed by 35%, and are Blinded for 1.5 seconds.* Cost: 35 Mana.* Cooldown: 10 seconds.
Blizzard [W]o Command Snowball to create a blizzard at the target location for 2 seconds. Enemieswithin the blizzard take 13 damage every .25 seconds and are Slowed by 7%, stacking upto 35%. When the blizzard ends, enemies within its area take an additional 75 damageand are stunned for 1.25 seconds.* Cost: 70 Mana.* Cooldown: 14 seconds.
- Icing [E]o Slide quickly in the targeted direction. When this effect ends, enemies near Mei areknocked back, take 52 damage, and are Slowed by 80%, rapidly decaying over 1.5seconds.* Cost: 70 Mana.* Cooldown: 14 seconds.
Heroic Abilities
* Avalanche [R1]
o After .5 seconds, roll a massive snowball that consumes enemy Heroes in its path. At theend of its path, the snowball crumbles, releasing the consumed Heroes, dealing 220damage and stunning them for .5 per Hero consumed.*Cost: 70 Mana.*Cooldown: 65 seconds.
Ice Wall [R2]o After a .75 second delay, create an impassible wall that traps enemy Heroes hit for 2.5seconds. When the wall expires, trapped Heroes are slowed by 75% decaying over 3seconds. Cost: 60 Mana.* Cooldown: 90 seconds.
Talents
Level 1o Heavy Pack [Q]* Increases the duration of Snow Blind’s Slow by 100%. Each time Blizzarddamages an enemy Hero, reduce the cooldown of Snow Blind by .125 seconds.
o Ice Storm [W]* Every 3rd hit of Blizzard against enemy Heroes deals an additional 45 damage.Blizzard’s final stun damage is increased by 125% against all enemies.
o Heat Transfer [Passive]* Basic Attacks against Rooted, Stunned, or Slowed Heroes deal 33% moredamage. Each time Mei Stuns or Slows an enemy Hero she heals for 18 Health.
Level 4o Slushball [Q]* Snow Blind deals 50% increased damage and Structures hit are disabled for 3seconds.o Cold Front [E]* If Mei enters her own Blizzard while Icing is active, the cooldown of Icing isreduced by 7 seconds and she gains 50 Mana.
o Crystallize [Trait]* Reduce the cooldown of Cryo-Freeze by 15 seconds. Mei gains 50 Spell Armorwhile Cryo-Freeze is active and for 2 seconds after.
Level 7o Induce Hibernation [W]* Enemy Heroes inside of Blizzard’s area have their damage dealt reduced by 40%.When Blizzard ends, enemy Heroes within its area gain this effect for anadditional 4 seconds.
o Skating Away [E]* When Icing ends, grant Mei and nearby allies 20% Movement Speed and 50Physical Armor for 3 seconds.
o Backup Battery [Active]* Activate to remove all Roots and Slows and regenerate 20% of maximum Healthover 2 seconds. The cooldown of this ability is reduced by 10 seconds each timeMei picks up a Regeneration Globe.
Level 13o Flurry [W]
- While in her own Blizzard, Mei gains 50% increased attack speed and Blizzard’scooldown refreshes 75% faster. If Mei is in her own Blizzard when it ends, gainthese bonuses for 3 additional seconds.
o Cooling Servos [Trait]* Basic Attacks Slow their target by 20% for 1.5 seconds. While Cryo-Freeze isactive, Mei’s Basic Ability cooldowns recover 200% faster.
o Polar Vortex [Passive]* Using an ability causes Mei to deal 24 damage a second to nearby enemies for 4seconds. Enemy Heroes damaged by this effect also have their movement andattack speed Slowed by 20%.
Level 16o Fresh Powder [Q]* Snow Blind gains an additional charge and its range is increased by 33%.o Black Ice [E]* Icing’s Slow effect no longer decays over its duration. Icing deals 300% moredamage to enemies very close to Mei.
o Acclimation [Passive]* Each time Mei Slows or Stuns an enemy Hero, the damage she deals and healingshe receives is increased by 1%, stacking up to 20 times. While at maximumstacks, Mei also gains 10 armor. Lasts 8 seconds.
Level 20o Cascade [R1]* Reduce the cooldown of Avalanche by 25 seconds. While traveling, Avalancheconstantly launches a volley of untalented Snow Blind snowballs ahead of itself.
o Shatter [R2]* When Ice Wall expires, trapped enemy Heroes hit take 210 damage and havetheir Armor reduced by 25 for 5 seconds.
o The Big One [Q]* Every 15 seconds, your next Snow Blind has 66% increased area and 200%increased damage.o Flash Freeze [Trait]* Upon taking fatal damage, Mei instantly gains Cryo-Freeze. This effect has a 180second cooldown.
